Chapter 16

12

tolerance

The fact that increasingly large doses of drugs must be taken to achieve a particular effect; caused by compensatory mechanisms that oppose the effect of the drug.

withdrawal symptoms

The appearance of symptoms opposite to those produced by a drug when the drug is suddenly no longer taken; caused by the presence of compensatory mechanisms.

substance dependence

A maladaptive pattern of substance abuse that includes taking increasing doses of the drug or other signs of addiction.

substance abuse

A maladaptive pattern of substance use short of addiction that interferes with a person's health or social situation.

negative reinforcement

The removal or reduction of an aversive stimulus that is contingent on a particular response, with an attendant increase in the frequency of that response.

dynorphin

An endogenous opioid; the natural ligand for kappa opiate receptors.

conditioned place preference

The learned preference for a location in which an organism encountered a reinforcing stimulus, such as food or a reinforcing drug.

naloxone

A drug that blocks mu opiate receptors; antagonizes the reinforcing and sedative effects of opiates.

pimozide

A drug that blocks dopamine receptors.

antagonist-precipitated withdrawal

Sudden withdrawal from long-term administration of a drug caused by cessation of the drug and administration of an antagonistic drug.

CREB

Cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein; a nuclear protein to which cyclic AMP can bind and affect the activity of a gene or set of genes.

drug discrimination procedure

An experimental procedure in which an animal shows, through instrumental conditioning, whether the perceived effects of two drugs are similar.